OPPOSITION Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) self-imposed interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu has struck again, firing party leaders from their various posts in Parliament and appointing new ones as infights within the Welshman Ncube-led faction escalate.
Chikanga legislator Lynette Karenyi-Kore was fired as the leader of House in Parliament and replaced by Sunningdale legislator Maureen Kademaunga.
Karenyi-Kore was early this year announced as president of the CCC party on a rotational basis with Ncube.
She, however, had not yet assumed that position since then.
Tshabangu’s latest move follows a series of recalls targeting CCC legislators and councillors perceived to be loyal to former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa.
Chamisa dumped the CCC — a political outfit formed in January 2022 — in January this year citing alleged infiltration by the ruling Zanu PF party after turmoil within the CCC due to the recalls of Members of Parliament and councillors by Tshabangu.
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The latest wave of reshuffles is targeting CCC legislators aligned to Ncube following the two party leaders’ [Ncube and Tshabangu] fallout early this year, escalating intra-party tensions, sources told NewsDay Weekender.
Other CCC legislators that have been fired include Edwin Mushoriwa, who was the chief whip.
He was replaced by Charles Moyo.
Sam Chapfudza was appointed the deputy chief whip.
Tshabangu also fired several Parliamentary Portfolio Committee chairpersons.
Marondera Central MP Caston Matewu was fired from his position as chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Broadcasting Services.
He was replaced by Zivai Mhetu.
Thokozani Khupe was appointed chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committe on Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology, replacing Minenhle Ntandoyenkosi Gumede.
Senator Maxwell Mdhluri replaced Sithabisiwe Moyo as the chairperson of the Thematic Committee on Indegenisation, while Richard Tsvangirai replaced Takudzwa Ngadziore as the deputy chairperson of the Youth Caucus.
S Dube replaced Ropafadzo Makumire as the secretary of the Youth Caucus.
NewsDay Weekender has it on good authority that Mushoriwa has since notified party members of his resignation in a WhatsApp group of CCC legislators.
His message read: “Greetings Hon Members. Just to advise that my six months stint as the opposition chief whip of the National Assembly has come to an end. I got the communication this morning from Clerk of Parliament and the announcement will be done in due course when Parliament resumes.”
CCC spokesperson Willias Madzimure said he was not aware of the changes.
“I would not know since it is Parliament business,” he said.
“But if it was anything to do with the party led by Welshman Ncube, I would know. If it is coming from someone else, I would not know.”
Kademaunga told NewsDay Weekender that she was not aware of the appointment.
“A lot of people are inquiring about the appointment. I am not aware,” she said.
Tshabangu and his spokesperson Nqobizitha Mlilo were both not picking calls.